Tertullian acknowledged that the sacraments practiced by Marcionite Christians bore notable similarity to those observed within his own Catholic tradition. Likewise, Cyril of Jerusalem warned Christians to take care not to mistake a Marcionite church for a Catholic one while traveling, further attesting to the resemblance in worship style and sacramental structure between the two communities.
The Marcionite Church of Christ recognizes eleven traditional sacraments: Holy Baptism, Holy Chrismation, Holy Communion, Holy Reconciliation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Unction, Holy Ordination, Holy Pedilavium, Holy Osculum, Holy Veiling, and the Holy Lovefeast. Among these, Holy Baptism, Holy Chrismation, and First Holy Communion are referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation. Upon receiving these, an individual is considered fully initiated into the Marcionite Church of Christ and is expected to wear the Chi Rho as a sign of their visible commitment to Christ.
Each sacrament is grounded in scripture and traces its origin to the ministry of Jesus Christ or the instruction of the Apostles.
Holy Baptism, the foundational sacrament, is repeatedly affirmed in the Testamentum:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
—Romans 5:3–4
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body… and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
—1 Corinthians 12:13
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
—Colossians 2:12
Holy Chrismation, the sealing with the Holy Spirit following baptism, is reflected in the Apostle Paul’s words:
“In whom ye also trusted… after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
—Laodiceans 1:13
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
—Laodiceans 4:30
Holy Communion was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper and is affirmed both in the Evangelicon and the Apostolicon:
“And they rehearsed… how he became known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
—Evangelicon 23:34
“This is my body, which is broken for you… For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
—1 Corinthians 11:24–27
The authority to forgive sins, passed from Christ to the Apostles, is the basis of Holy Reconciliation:
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
—Romans 8:13
Holy Unction, the sacrament of anointing the sick, continues the healing ministry of Jesus:
“And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.”
—Evangelicon 5:22
Holy Ordination, the conferral of clerical office, was instituted by Christ and affirmed by Paul:
“…That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.”
—Evangelicon 23:43–45
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ… be ye reconciled to God.”
—2 Corinthians 5:20
Holy Matrimony, the sacred union of man and woman, symbolizes the bond between Christ and the Church:
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother… This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
—Laodiceans 5:31–32
Holy Pedilavium, or foot washing, was instituted by Christ:
“He riseth from supper… and began to wash the disciples’ feet.”
—Evangelicon 20:10–11
“Thou gavest me no water for my feet… Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much.”
—Evangelicon 5:45–49
Holy Osculum, or the holy kiss, was commanded by the Apostle Paul:
“All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.”
—1 Corinthians 16:20
Holy Veiling is required of women in worship, based on Paul’s directive:
“Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head… But if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
—1 Corinthians 11:3–15
Lastly, the Holy Lovefeast, a communal meal following Communion, is referenced in the Apostle’s instructions:
“Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another… And the rest will I set in order when I come.”
—1 Corinthians 11:33–34
These eleven sacraments form the core of Marcionite liturgical and sacramental life, each drawing from the earliest apostolic traditions and rooted in the teachings found in the Testamentum.